Oregon Ducks recruiting update: 18 commitments heading into final weekend before signing day

The sudden coaching turmoil at Oregon did not have an effect on the recruiting visits last weekend. Four of the six recruits originally scheduled made the trip. The two who did not were cancelled prior to their arrival. Chip Kelly was on hand in Eugene during the weekend to host the visitors.

Los Angeles athlete Jaydon Mickens and Livermore (Calif.) athlete Damariay Drew both parted ways amicably with the Ducks in the days before their visit date. This is often an indication that the team had filled their quota at the position. Drew notified Duck Sports Authority that he committed to California on Monday.

The lone official visitor not previously committed to Oregon was Las Vegas OG Cedrick Poutasi. Ranked as the nation's No. 10 guard, the four-star prospect committed to Utah in late December, but the Ducks did not give up. The trip seems to have made on impression on Poutasi, who told Rivals.com after getting home, "I have to think."

"It was amazing," Bair told Duck Sports Authority after his visit. "The coaches are great people, down to earth. I felt welcome there and enjoyed all the facilities."

The weekend did bring a recruiting setback for the Ducks. Murrieta (Calif.) DE Jeremy Castro, who had committed to Oregon in late October, took an official visit to UCLA and switched his pledge to the Bruins during the weekend. Following Castro's defection the Oregon class contains 18 athletes verbally committed leading into the final recruiting week before Feb. 1 signing day.